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A second look at the second base situation

If not, the Orioles and Red Sox are tied for first place in the American League East.

The news that Brian Roberts will undergo surgery today on his right hamstring didn't send the Orioles scrambling for another second baseman.

They acquired Alexi Casialla and kept Ryan Flaherty as insurance policies in case Roberts returned to the disabled list and was lost for an extended period. Manager Buck Showalter batted him ninth to avoid disrupting the lineup.

The Orioles weren't caught looking.

It's still conceivable that they go outside the organization for another second baseman, but it doesn't appear to be in their immediate plans. Flaherty continues to get the bulk of the starts, since the Orioles spend most of their nights facing right-handed starters, and Showalter isn't ready to sit him despite a .114 average.

"You'd like to have all nine of them being perfect," Showalter said. "Ryan just missed a home run (Tuesday) night. That's probably the most squared up ball of the night. And another line drive to the second baseman.

"I think what he's done defensively for us...he turned some tough double plays in the last week or so. He's working very hard at it.

"We're going to give him an opportunity to see if he can get it going. If not, we'll make an adjustment. I look at the options, and right now I think Ryan is our best option at this point. But as you know, we'll make adjustments if things don't go where they need to go."

What are the internal options? Plenty of fans are pushing for the Orioles to bring up Jonathan Schoop from Triple-A Norfolk. Schoop is batting .245 in his first season above Double-A. It's probably a little early for him.

I don't need to be reminded that Manny Machado made the jump from Double-A to the majors last summer and wasn't exactly tearing the cover off the ball at Bowie, but he was summoned in August and the Orioles were desperate for a defensive upgrade at third base. They're not in the same bind at second. Flaherty and Casilla are doing just fine with the glove.

Yamaico Navarro, who's also on the 40-man roster, is batting .317. He's mostly played shortstop at Norfolk, but the Orioles think he's better defensively at second. Shouldn't he get the first consideration?